I found it hard and painful to watch and interact with my grandmother as her age and failing mental capacity increased until I "turned it around" and accepted the perception that she was really perfectly fine. She was just dealing with and living life like she was, but in a world that she could see, hear, and feel...and I couldn't. My grandmother didn't want people fussing...no medicine, no combing hair or she'd whack them...but she smiled at the birds flying in her room, sang along to the tunes she heard, and loved her glasses of eggnog (which she detested all her life prior to this point). Speak and react as if in their world...because that's where they ARE and infuse our reality into that world and it sometimes worked, at least temporarily. I learned to enjoy sharing my grandmother's world with her...she smiled and talked eagerly about things I asked about, like when she learned the words to the song she was singing or to repeat what other "visitors" were saying. I don't know if this was good for her, but it's who she had become and I accepted it. It seemed to make her happier and our time together more pleasant.

Congrats on the "oh, wow" sales! I can only picture how busy you must have been!

I love that story about the foreclosure and tearing the place down. It's the kind of thing some of my relatives would tell me, and I would laugh when it was all over with and the truth was known, but I'd also be laughing at myself for how bothered I felt at them for about firve minutes until I got over it.

As you already know,I take care of my Mom during the day(diapers,feeding tube,etc.).Even with her Alzheimers,she communicates with us,never really sure who we are.The other day she told me she was waiting in line for a baby.I asked her what kind of baby and she said "A boy of course".She then added that I would have to move because there would be no room for me(I don't even live there)but it was funny how she wanted a boy.She is lucky she had 2 daughters ,since we are her only caretakers.Laurie

I am so happy to hear that you job is doing well Joan, but sad to hear of your moms ill-health You are both in my prayers

Sorry to hear about all of this.Sad like they say when things
fade short on memory.As for you young lady keep your self
busy and face the challenge.This can prolong anything that
is coming.Good luck.

It's so painful to watch an old person fade...my thoughts are with you.

Sounds like you and Kenna are busy busy!! That is good though. I am sorry to hear that your Mom is having troubles. Will keep her in my thoughts and prayers!!

Yes, I agree with Marta. You did a wonderful job in selling the tests! You are, I think, a natural for sales. You could probably sell anything1 About your mom: I'm really sorry. I don't have any experience in this area because our family goes pretty young. I think none have gotten to the rest home age. Some of my friends have grandmas in rest homes. (I wonder why none of their granddads?) Well, I know they worry, especially when their minds start to wander. One of my friends has a grandma who doesn't recognize anyone, not even her mom (who is her daughter... I know you know. I just don't always write clearly enough.) I guess all you can do is what you're doing... taking it day by day. Take care of yourself.

Great sales job! I so sympathize with your travails with your mother. Unfortunately, my stepmom is beginning to lose her cognitive wits, slowly but surely, and her health is slipping, too. She's had two bad falls in the past five weeks, and is in the hospital for the second time. Plans are to move her to a rehab facility to regain her strength, but I think her days of living on her own are numbered. Just started her on Aricept. Hope it helps.
Hang in there. I'm sending prayers!